Our premier event must stay downtown

A little more than five years ago - back when Stockton had more money and, frankly, bigger dreams - one of those paid consultants strode to the microphone to give his report on how the city could be revitalized.

A little more than five years ago - back when Stockton had more money and, frankly, bigger dreams - one of those paid consultants strode to the microphone to give his report on how the city could be revitalized.

Roger Brooks of Seattle-based Destination Development Inc. unveiled the three-word catchphrase that he said could become the fulcrum for energizing of Stockton:

"The Event City."

Stockton paid $50,000 and business groups pooled together $75,000 for Brooks' study.

His findings centered on downtown and how it must be the epicenter for, well, events.

Lots and lots and lots of events.

So now it's come up that the city's biggest downtown event, the Asparagus Festival, could bolt for the decidedly not-downtown San Joaquin County Fairgrounds next year.

Maybe while we're at it, we can change the name of that beautiful waterfront setting to the "Weber Point Big Events No Longer Held Here Center."

Once upon a time, there was an annual Fourth of July fireworks event downtown. Thousands and thousands of people gathered. There was a camaraderie of community spirit. Peter Jaffe and the Stockton Symphony played, including firing up the "1812 Overture," complete with cannon fire.

It was a melding of cultures, a unity of patriotism and it was a great, great annual event.

And, of course, it is no more. No city money to pay for cops and fire protection. No money for other infrastructure.

That event in The Event City is gone.

You want to see fireworks? Go to a Saturday night Stockton Ports game.

Now, after 10 years in downtown Stockton, the Asparagus Festival - which ends today - is taking a serious look at trading in the beautiful waterfront scenery and spacious downtown footprint for the dusty fairgrounds and its ample parking.

The main issue, once again: inability to pay for cops.

So, unless something can be worked out, another event in The Event City will be jettisoned from downtown.

I get it. The city's bankrupt. And it's going to be a long haul to pull out of this hole. Stockton can't very well hold birthday parties for America or festivals for those tasty spears if it's going to make the city more broke.

It's also hard to quibble with Director Kate Post and the Asparagus Festival board. They're trying to look out for the best interests of the festival and the myriad charities that depend on the money they get from the proceeds.

I won't delve into the nuances of the finances at stake here. Colleague Kevin Parrish touched on them in a story last week. Columnist Michael Fitzgerald delves into them in his column today.

Let's truly hope that the city and the Asparagus Festival board can come to some sort of agreement.

Let's revisit the words of that $125,000 consultant in January 2008:

"In three to five years, when outsiders figure Stockton to be a happening place, 'The Event City' brand could be rolled out," Brooks said. "The potential for Stockton is unbelievable. The foundation for a strong brand is here."

Fast forward - we're losing parking garages, giving up the would-be City Hall, becoming the country's largest community to declare bankruptcy, chopping back employee benefits and trying to keep Wall Street from devouring us whole.

There aren't many good vibes outside the city when Stockton is mentioned. But this festival not only creates good vibes but draws thousands of people from outside our area to Stockton. We repeat - TO Stockton.

The $125,000 consultant actually was a bit derisive about the festival during his 2008 presentation. Brooks said:

"Have you ever gone anywhere because it is the capital of a fruit or vegetable?"

Well, yes, in fact. More than 100,000 people attend the festival downtown. You're not going to even sniff that attendance if it's at the fairgrounds. Outsiders will come the first year, then many won't come back.

Downtown Stockton is the best place for The Asparagus Festival.

Period.

Contact Record Editor Mike Klocke at (209) 546-8250 or mklocke@recordnet.com.